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Wednesday, 17 July 2013

Think it, make it, brand it and change Africa!

Africans need to engage in the entrepreneurial spirit if development goals are to be achieved–or exceeded!

There’s not doubt that Africa could be the powerhouse of the world in
years to come, despite the unfavorable conditions on the ground. But
over the years, Africa has been a shadow of what it should be,
especially considering its substantial endowment of natural and human
resources. Why is this so?
It is this basic question that The Association of African Agricultural Professionals in Diaspora
(AAAPD) seeks to tackle. With the objective of harnessing the dormant
forces in Africa for agricultural development, AAAPD hopes to take
Africa to a whole new level.
Africans in the Diaspora play a major role in promoting Africa, especially in the field of agriculture. At the 6th FARA Africa Agriculture Science Week
(AASW6), the idea of Africans in Diaspora participating in making
Africa a place flowing with “milk and honey” was presented by Professor
Mandi Rukini, who exhorted Africans to begin redefining issues like
poverty on their home continent. Professor Rukini urged Africans not to
see money as the only goal to achieve, but to also consider strategizing
for the betterment of the world.
One of the major problems facing Africa today is its inability to
take bold steps in making the necessary changes, combined with the habit
of considering only immediate benefits rather than long-term ones.
Africa over the years has sold over sixty million hectares of land for
only six dollars per hectare–a true case in point!
This situation requires a serious re-awakening from Africans in the
Diaspora. Africans have to be ready to take bold steps and release their
ideas into the world! If we are to succeed in our quest of becoming the
world’s powerhouse, then we must make a concerted effort to develop our
own brand. It must be a brand that can sustain itself, and not only in
Africa, but the world over.
Africans must begin to borrow knowledge intelligently and use it for
their benefit. We must begin to demand long term benefits from foreign
investors rather than just money! We must have confidence in ourselves
and become entrepreneurs, generating ideas and producing African brands.
We have to put aside our political differences and unite our economy to
create a stronger continent.
If others can, African can also. The change begins with every one of us!Blogpost by Emmanuel Ohiomoba, a social media reporter for AASW6.
Photo: V. Meadu